Artisan Regions in Michoacan
Those who want to acquire artisan pieces regularly flock to Pátzcuaro, which is known as a place not only where artisan work is produced, but also as a place where artisans gather to sell their work.
In the Lake
Pátzcuaro region, we find a wide range of handicrafts. Many
folk artists live here, and many of them are recognized nationally and
internationally for their fine work.
Michoacan Handicrafts from Patzcuaro
Even the smallest
communities can offer a wide variety of artisan pieces, ranging from pieces
that people use in their day-to-day lives, to decorative pieces of great beauty
and delicacy illustrating the way artisans capture their creativity with
emotion and great skill.
These communities
are full of working people who have had the production of handicrafts as a
primary tool for their livelihood for generations – a legacy that they proudly
keep alive.
Hand hammered copper from Santa Clara del Cobre, Michoacán
At Hotel
Mansión Iturbe in Pátzcuaro, we know that many of our guests are
lovers of Mexican folk art, so here we share the different artisan regions of
Michoacán, so you can take a tour of them, and/or put together your own artisan
route.
Mexican Pottery from Michoacan
Obviously, many
of these crafts that are made in different regions of Michoacán. You are
already familiar with many of them, because lots of them are represented at the
different Artisan Tianguis of Michoacán, such as the Palm Sunday
artisan fare in Uruapan, and the famous Tianguis of Night of the
Dead in Pátzcuaro.
According to data from the Institute of Craftsman of Michoacán, there are 38 Michoacán municipalities where some type of craftsmanship is produced; below we list seven of the principal artisan regions.
1. Región Centro (Central Region, including the towns of Capula, Zinapécuaro, Villa Morelos, and Puruandiro) is known for its fine pottery. Cuitzeo, Capacho, Irancuátaro, and San Agustina del Pulque are noted producers of woven fibers. Molcajetes have made San Nicolás Obispo famous. Also, Morelia is well-known for feather art.
Molcajete a prehispanic mortar made with with stone
2. Región Lacustre (Lake Region). The artisan richness of this area is immense (boasting about 16 separate artisan branches). Try to investigate this area especially, because each community has something to offer. Emblematic sites are Tzintzuntzan, Santa Clara del Cobre, Quiroga, Santa Fe de la Laguna, Cuanajo, Erongarícuaro, Tócuaro, Jarácuaro, and Ihuatizo.
Natural Fiber Craft from Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan
3.
Región Meseta (Plateau Region). Paracho is famous for its guitars
and woodwork. Nearby Ahuíran and Aranza has its lovely scarves, Cocucho
produces the huge earthenware urns, Ocumicho with its mischievous,
imaginative little clay devils, and San Felipe de los Herreros and its
embroidery. And of course, there is Uruapan with its fine inlay
work.
Ocumicho Mexican Folk Art from Michoacan
4. Región Oriente (Eastern Region).
Tlalpuhahua
is the place for Christmas ornaments, hand-blown glass,
jewelry, metalwork, and feather art, San Felipe de los Alzati for pottery, and
Crecencio Morales, where they produce huinumo (fibers wrapped
with copper wire).
Mexican Feathers Art
5. Región Occidente (Western
Region). Huancito
has outstanding pottery, and San José de Gracia is the main producer of the
fantastic, intricate pineapples, Le Piedad makes exquisite scarves, and people
flock to Sahuayo for their sandals, hats, and other accessories made of natural
materials. Like embroidery? Check out
Tarecuato!
Glazed clay pineapple from San José de Gracia, Michoacán
6. Región Costa (Coastal Region). Here you will find pottery,
handicrafts in wood, saddlery, and vegetable fibers. The coast of Michoacán has
more than 200 kilometers of beaches. Aquila is the one that stands out for its
artisan production, and you will also find handicrafts in Ticla or Maruata.
7. Tierra Caliente (Hot Land
Region). Apatzingán= ”cone-shaped” furniture, Huetamo=jewelry.
The area is generally known for its fine leather work.
Handmade furniture from Michoacan at Mansion Iturbe Hotel in Pátzcuaro
*Text and pictures property of Hotel Mansión Iturbe.
We invite you to check more posts in our blog, you will find information about Pátzcuaro and its surroundings, that we hope will be useful for your next trip to our colonial town in Mexico.
Here are some posts that we suggest you:
The seven artisan groups in Pátzcuaro
Collective Branding in Michoacán
Plaza Vasco de Quiroga
61600 Patzcuaro, Michoacan
Mexico
For more information about our Hotel in Patzcuaro
Reservations online at Hotel Mansion Iturbe
Amadeus: ON MLMMAN
Sabre: ON 16297
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